The Toy Industry Foundation (TIF) is calling on toy manufacturers, retailers, distributors, and importers to continue donating arts and crafts, plush, outdoor toys, musical toys, board games, books, DVDs, and other toy and youth entertainment items for its 2015 Summer Toy Drive, which is open from now through Labor Day weekend. The items will be donated to children who are sick, in foster care, living on U.S. military bases, or experiencing other hardships.

The Toy Industry Foundation (TIF) has released its 2014 Annual Report. Thanks to toy donations and financial contributions from individual and corporate supporters, TIF was able to serve nearly 5 million kids, and reach 56 percent more kids than during the previous year. Another milestone was met in 2014: More than $100 million worth of toys have been donated to The Toy Bank, TIF’s signature program, since the program’s inception in 2003. Just under $19 million in toys were donated last year.

Waba Fun LLC recently donated $105,000 worth of Superstructs Mega Sets to the Toy Industry Foundation’s (TIF) Toy Bank, which donates toys and games to children who are battling life-threatening illnesses, living in poverty, and otherwise in need.

The Toy Bank is stocked with donations from manufacturers, retailers, and distributors. These gifts are generally distributed through The Toy Bank’s network of 1,000 charities across the nation and around the world to foster kids, children living on U.S. military bases, children who are ill, impoverished, affected by natural disasters, or living through other stressful situations.

On July 22, pediatric cancer patients living at the Ronald McDonald House of New York City will be treated to a special toy giveaway and dinner party hosted by the Toy Industry Foundation (TIF). For the event, the Toy Bank is currently seeking donations of toys, games, and crafts in quantities of 50 to 100 pieces for kids of all ages.

The Ronald McDonald House aims to provide a supportive and caring environment for pediatric cancer patients and their families.

Toy manufacturers, distributors, and retailers who would like to contribute product are encouraged to contact TIF program manager Elizabeth Max at emax@toyindustryfoundation.org. Donations are needed by Tuesday, July 15.

Over the past 10 years, The Toy Bank has delivered $85 million worth of toys to children who are sick, impoverished, rescued from abusive homes, living through natural disasters, enduring life on a military base or otherwise in need. Safari Ltd. is a third-generation, educational toy company whose mission is to teach children the importance of nature and its conservation through the joy of play.

New Products

Marvel’s Ant-Man is still going strong in theaters, and so is Disney Consumer Products’ (DCP) and Marvel‘s Ant-Man product collection. The lineup includes costumes, construction sets, action figures, and more from licensees such as Hasbro, LEGO, Funko, Hot Wheels, Rubie’s Costume Co., and Uncle Milton.

Skechers USA Inc. has partnered with Jakks Pacific Inc. to launch a new line of dolls based on Skechers’ popular Twinkle Toes character. The initial launch includes four unique dolls that stand 6.5 inches in height, and are dressed in colorful, fashion-forward outfits and light-up Skechers Twinkle Toes shoes.

LeapFrog Enterprises Inc. will release three new preschool toys—the Number Lovin’ Oven and Scout’s Build & Discover Tool Set, which offer pretend play experiences that teach math and measurement, respectively—and the Word Whammer, a phonics game that prepares children for kindergarten in an active way.

Now available from VTech, Flipsies combine traditional role play with collectible dolls and accessories, as well as VTech’s proprietary MagicPoint interactive technology. The line offers a variety of ways to play and has eight introductory themes that encourage girls to be anything they want to be, whether it’s a doctor, a marine biologist, a teacher, [...]

Merchantwise, ITV Studios Global Entertainment’s appointed licensing agency in Australia, has announced strong toy and DVD sales, as well as a host of new licensing and retail partners, for the TV series Thunderbirds Are Go in Australia.